On a sloppy track, Curlin, the wide-bodied, pile-driving chestnut champion, blasted through the Breeder's Cup competition with his customary come-from-the-turn approach.
Superior horsepower. That's how automobile manufacturers describe the energy of their engines. Horsepower is computed in 550 foot-pounds per second.
In Saturday's Breeders's Cup Classic (Powered by Dodge), Curlin, Steve Asmussen's golden boy colt unraced at the age of two, displayed once again the power of a fine-tuned engine made for speed, maneuverability, and strength, awesome, eye-popping strength. We have seen this colt's power coming off the last turn many times this season.
Yesterday, he didn't just manage on a sloppy track. Never having raced on a sloppy surface before, Curlin attacked the situation as though it wasn't really anything to think about.
He stopped our hearts in the Preakness, powering through the stretch like a seasoned veteran, which he wasn't. He won our hearts in the Belmont with his mighty duel with Rags to Riches, the determined filly winner at the wire.
Then, Curlin almost broke our hearts, coming up a bit empty in his next race after the taxing Belmont. Not to fret, though. He came back to form in a huge win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, sweeping stretch run well in tact.
In the Breeders' Cup, he confirmed himself. From the sweeping, full turns of Belmont to the tightly turned oval of Monmouth Park, this chestnut powerhouse has conquered all as a first year player.
Enough votes for Horse of the Year, balloted in December, should fall into his stall.
